I just experienced something that I don't know is/is not clutch slip. From a standing start, I popped the clutch and lit the tires in first. The clutch grabbed immediately. I spun all the way through first and then switched to second and popped the clutch again, lifting the throttle between gears but releasing the clutch pedal while mashing on the gas at the same time as I always do. Instead of the brisk "chirp" I'm used to in second, the engine slowly decreased in RPM until it "caught" and then it accelerated normally. I *think* the tires (or at least a tire on one side) was still spinning and it wasn't the clutch slipping, but I'm not sure.

It could have been the wheel(s) spinning and I just didn't get the usual clear "chirp" because my tires had just been liquefied; this was the first time that I've kept the tires lit for that long. I tried popping the clutch into second a couple of times after that (without the initial tire spin) and it chirped as usual. Also, if I put the car in 3rd, 4th or 5th anywhere between 1000 and 3000 RPM and stomp on the gas, there seems to be no slip even when I'm going up a hill and in too high a gear. If it is going to slip, wouldn't that be the test: to floor it while doing 1500 RPM going up a hill in 5th?

I guess I could just be paranoid about having to replace the clutch since I got the car used and don't know the clutch's condition. ;)

Thanks,
Mike

 

Mine has done something similar to that when I was racing, and the clutch was really hot. I let mine cool off and it is fine so far. Usually you can smell the clutch if it is slipping also.

I have also heard that it is a good test to put it in 6th at low RPM's, to see if it slips....Mine never slipped when I tried this.

Good Luck

 

Could be lots of things...
1) not enough power to spin in 2nd yet enough to bog car down
2) traction control was "on"
3) fuel regulation got out of sync briefly

Don't worry be happy. Your clutch will let you know when it's "time".

 

The smell man, the smell When it is your clutch, you will know it by the smell. :eek:

 

I guess I'll just keep an eye on it. I might be OK since all I could smell was burning rubber. I've smelled the clutch before and it definitely smelled more like tires to me. ;)

It definitely wasn't traction control since I never drive the car until I first turn that off.

Mike


[Modified by mchaney, 10:54 PM 9/8/2001]